Glossary

AC Field Measurement

Alternating Current Field Measurement is the measurement of the electromagnetic field produced by an alternating current.

When a current follows through a material or object it will produce an associated electromagnetic field. If the current is alternating (AC) then it will produce an associated alternating electromagnetic field.

All eddy current equipment uses AC Field Measurement, this is a principle of eddy current testing. A test object is placed in an AC magnetic field produced by a specific source. The AC magnetic field induces eddy currents in the surface of the object. The eddy currents produce thier own AC magnetic field. The fields will interact resulting in a modified magnetic field. This modified magnetic field is then, in turn, measured by a test coil place in the modified field region, hence AC field measurement.

Alternating Current Field Measurement is also used in many other techniques. Ammeters, Wattmeters (Electric consumption meters), Environment electromagnetic field measurements, Transformer calibration, EMC testing.